PACKING LIST!

We went down and visited the camp again last week and got SUPER EXCITED about having camp there.  There are so many fun things to do, we are having a hard time fitting everything in to just four days!  As it is a new camp location, the packing list has changed.  We have tried to think of all possible needs.  Please e-mail one of us us if you have any questions!
 Packing List
Please write your name on all personal items
General
___ Sleeping bag/bedding
___ 1 old fitted twin size sheet to cover mattress**
___ Quilt/blanket
___ Pillow
___ Camp Manual
___ Scriptures
___ Journal and Pen
___ Personal Progress Book
___ Flashlight and batteries
___ Camera
___Sunglasses
___ Nightstand- optional (bucket, folding chair, anything to hold bedside books, scriptures etc.)
Sleeping arrangement: You will be staying in platform tents. (See blog for a picture) Each girl will have a bed frame and a mattress to sleep on so no need for extra air or foam mattress needed. However- you are welcome to bring them if you prefer to sleep on your own. There are no electrical outlets other than by the pool (which is not near sleeping area) so bring a battery operated air pump or one that will fit in a car lighter. Mattresses are a little old but OK to sleep on. I recommend 1 fitted sheet to cover the mattress and then throwing a sleeping bag on top to sleep in. Also a blanket on top for warmth or to wrap up in around the campfire.
 Clothing: church standard please
   ___Pajamas
___ Socks- bring extra pairs- they may get wet!!!
___ Good walking Shoes (tennis shoes or hiking boots) – 2 pairs preferred in case one pair gets wet or muddy. Streams around camp that must be crossed, may be full. Especially if it rains.
___ Rain boots would be good- lots of streams and brush, so feet will get wet
___ Flip flops for swimming pool and showers
___ Underclothing
___ Shirts (at least 1 long sleeved)
___ Pants- Long pants will help lessen the possibility of getting ticks. Shorts MUST be knee length!!
___ Hat/visor
___ Sweatshirt/ jacket/ coat
___ Poncho/raincoat
___ Swim suit *one piece or Tankini that covers the stomach ONLY*
___Backpack- bigger schoolsize to fit swimsuit/towels hat, sweatshirt etc in.
 Toiletries:
   ___ Wash cloth
___ 1-2 Towels- one for shower, one for pool recommended
___ Soap/shower gel
___ Sanitary needs
___ Toothbrush/paste
___ Bug spray with DEET *** A full can! *A MUST!!! Ticks are abundant!
___ Hair comb/brush
___Sunscreen
___Chapstick
___ Small personal first aid kit, Tylenol, Advil etc.
___ Hair dryer (optional)
___ Deodorant
***no gifts for secret sister needed this year**We are doing Secret "Clusters" (camp sites)
***we will provide a small back pack and water bottle***
 

A Sweet Camp Experience Recipe

The stake has organized Young Women Camp this year to do all of our certification AT camp.  There will be no precertification required before arrival.  However, for your own ward’s sweet experience at camp, we recommend at least one mutual to be dedicated to the camp specialist and YCL’s meeting prior to camp.  At this meeting the following items should be discussed and decided upon:

1.     Final names of all girls attending in your cluster.  If you are combined with another ward or branch, all YCL’s and ward specialists should be somehow present at the meeting.  Whether by phone or in person.  All girls attending in a cluster should be documented and ensure paperwork has been gathered.

2.     Finalize and plan your sweet cluster name. This is the name we will refer to when listing your clusters at camp.  Decide if any additional flag or bandannas (not required) will be used to identify your campers with this name.  This will be a ward expense and is not calculated into the camp fund.  

3.     Plan your cluster’s skit that will be presented opening night at camp.  There will be some time allotted to practice your skit at camp once everyone arrives.  If you would like to practice with your ward before arriving, please feel free to do so.  The skit should be anywhere between 5 and 10 minutes.  The skit should appropriately introduce your cluster name and the fun personalities of your campers and leaders.  

4.     Plan your cluster activities for Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday.  This time allotment is around an hour and a half.  During this time you can plan an activity with your secret cluster or do a fun service for them.   You can plan some fun games.  See pages 50-65 in your camp manuals for some great ideas.  You can also plan a sing along or camp fire activity.  This is time that your cluster gets to spend time together so come up with appropriate activities to help you bond and enjoy each other.  

5.     Assign which YCLs will lead the devotional each night.  See p 68 in the camp manual for ideas.  The YCL should come prepared with a short devotional (scripture, personal experience, reference to Christ’s life) that she can present to the Cluster.  If you have more then four YCLs you can assign two to work together.  Keep in mind the camp theme and daily themes.  They are: Monday – Sweet to be a Mormon, Tuesday – Know it, Wednesday – Live it, Thursday – Love it, and Friday –Share it.  Try to incorporate these into your devotionals.  

6.     We would love some great pictures of YCLs in camping clothes that fit the standards of the church.  Could you snap some pictures for us of these lovely girls in their camping clothes while at the meeting?  Make sure shoulders are covered and shorts come to the knee.  We are making an effort to eliminate "work out" shorts that are just a little too short and blousy so we could use some great representations of capris and knee length cutoffs.   Remember to remind the girls to come to the meeting ready to pose.  

7.     Decide if there is any additional things you would like to do in your cluster to help the girls draw closer to Heavenly Father, appreciate and feel reverence for nature, respect and protect the environment, serve others, build friendships, and enjoy camping and have fun.  

Once this meeting is held before June 1, we would like the notes of the meetings including all the names of the girls planning on attending camp in your cluster and the great camp clothes pictures.  Thank you for your dedication and preparation for Girl’s Camp 2013.

Just FIVE Weeks Until Girls Camp

Welcome to Young Women camp! With the world of nature as your classroom, you can experience the wonder of God’s creations and learn skills that will help you become self-reliant and able to live comfortably in the outdoors. At camp, you will make new friends and develop lasting friendships with your leaders as you work and play together. Through shared experiences, you can draw closer to your Heavenly Father and strengthen others in living the gospel.

The goals of Young Women camp are to help you:

• Draw closer to God.
• Appreciate and feel reverence for nature.
• Become more self-reliant.
• Develop leadership skills.
• Respect and protect the environment.
• Serve others.
• Build friendships.
• Enjoy camping and have fun.

To help you reach these goals, you will be participating in the camp certification program. There are four levels that correspond to your first four years in Young Women:

Level 1—age twelve
Level 2—age thirteen
Level 3—age fourteen
Level 4—age fifteen

During your last two years in the Young Women program, when you are sixteen and seventeen, you can be a Youth Camp Leader and share what you have learned with others. This is an exciting part of your own learning. The younger girls will look up to you, and you will have the opportunity to make a difference in their lives. Think about the fun you will have at camp. Imagine looking into the starlit heavens before going to sleep each night and waking to the sounds of birds each morning! You will organize and cook meals with your new and old friends. You will work beside them on projects to help protect the environment. High adventure activities can be physically demanding and will help you feel a special fellowship with those who share these challenges.
Think about how fun it will be to have leaders and young women living together—participating in mealtimes, sharing times, presentations, firesides, creative surprises, cultural activities, and certification classes. There will be laughing, singing, praying, and maybe even some crying as you move through your days and nights at camp. Imagine yourself returning home knowing how to do things you have never done before, feeling the glow of new and old friendships, and realizing that you are closer to your Heavenly Father. All of these things are waiting
for you at camp!
*Young Women Camp Manual, p 7